Automotive and Childcare Industry to Benefit from Incumbent Worker Training

Centralina WDB Provides More Local Economic Investment Dollars

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to fund two more employers for Incumbent Worker training. Radiator Specialty Company and Sunshine Station Child Development Center have each been awarded $37,500 to upgrade the skills of their current workforce.

Radiator Specialty Company is located in Indian Trail (Union County) and employs 181 people at this facility. Radiator Specialty Company (RSC) is a manufacturer and distributor of automotive, plumbing and hardware, rubber, and traffic safety products in the United States, Canada and various international markets. Radiator sells its products primarily through retailers and warehouse distributors. Training for current employees will focus on ISO 9001 Business Quality Management (including Basic Introduction to ISO 9001:2000, Expert OJT, Internal Audit training, Documentation training, and Problem analysis). A total of 181 Radiator Specialty employees are scheduled for training. Radiator Specialty is receiving $37,500 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded June 8, 2005.

Sunshine Station Child Development Center is also located in Indian Trail and employs 58 people. Sunshine Station Child Development Center is a childcare facility that provides childcare, education and parent training to children with and without special needs. Training for current employees will be divided into three components: Child Development; Early Intervention Infant-Toddler Specialist; and Administrator. Child Development classroom teachers' training will focus on early childhood education classes such as Curriculum Planning; Sanitation; Quality Enhancement; Health/Safety & Nutrition and Inclusion. Additional professional training would include CPR/First Aid; Playground Safety; Fire/Emergency and SIDS. Employees will be trained in Foreign and Sign Language. Early Intervention Infant-Toddler Specialists are required to meet a standard of competence for early intervention practices. They will attend 48 clock hours of professional training. Topics will include Infant Massage Techniques; Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty; Cortical Visual Impairment; Munchausen's by Proxy; Sensory Integration Dysfunction and Treatment; Child Abuse, Neglect and Visual Development. Administrators will attend Foreign and Sign Language, CPR/First Aid, Playground Safety, Fire/Emergency and SIDS classes. A total of 58 Sunshine Station employees are scheduled for training. Sunshine Station is receiving $37,500 in Incumbent Workforce Development funds through a contract with the Centralina WDB, based on the grant awarded June 8, 2005.

Incumbent Worker training funds for the next fiscal year (2005-2006) will not be available until August 2005. The Centralina WDB will work with local businesses to submit new applications and for those who may wish to resubmit at that time. Please visit www.centralinaworks.com for updates regarding the program. For more information please contact David Hollars @ 704.348.2717 or dhollars@centralina.org.


Grandparents Fill the "GAPP"
Grandparent Support Group Established in Iredell County

It is estimated that some 1,220 grandparents in Iredell County are responsible for the caregiving of grandchildren. That is half of all Iredell grandparents who live in households with one or more grandchildren under 18 years of age, a rate that exceeds regional and state averages. Estimates from the national 2000 Census report show that 42 percent of U.S. grandparents are caregivers, or people who have primary responsibility for their co-resident grandchildren. The figures and the responsibility are staggering.

Until recently there has been no organized support for these Iredell County grandparents raising grandchildren. The additional burden of childcare costs for those that may be on fixed incomes; the stress of parenting a young child at a more mature age; legal issues surrounding adoption, guardianship, foster care, medical care, insurance and other benefits; and many other challenges face this population. The newly formed Grandparents As Primary Parents (GAPP) Support Group is helping to address those challenges.

Sponsoring GAPP is the Iredell County Partnership for Young Children (Smart Start), under the direction of Parent Education and Family Support Director Ginger Hester. The group has a facilitator and two parent leaders who have completed the Circle of Parents training in how to create a support group. After the first few months there is already a small but dedicated core group.

The group meets from 1:30-2:30 p.m. each Friday to allow grandparents to share their experiences, gain information that will help them in their particular circumstances, and learn about community resources. Grandparents may bring their children to a supervised playgroup that meets at the same time. Grandparents are welcome to join the group at any time or call 704-878-9980 for more information.


Ron Mahle was recently hired as the new existing industry coordinator for the City of Monroe. He will be looking out for and promoting the interests of major industries in Monroe. Congratulations to Ron! He can be reached at 704.282.5780 or rmahle@monroenc.org.

Congratulations to Roy Young. Mr. Young is the Director of the Union County Department of Social Services and was recently named DSS Director of the Year by the North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services. You can congratulate him by e-mail at ryoung@co.union.nc.us or 704.296.4300.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud to support the nomination of the following individuals for the 2005 Governor's Awards for Excellence in Workforce Development:

  • Mr. Marvin Leonard Johnson (former Pillowtex worker) - Outstanding Workforce Development Award - Adult

  • Ms. Antonia Susan Barcelo (former Work First participant) - Outstanding Workforce Development Award - Adult

  • Ms. Debbie Davis (Assistant Manager - Rowan County JobLink Career Center) - Wayne Daves Award for Outstanding Achievement in Workforce Development

Final selection for the awards will be made in late August. The awards will be presented at a banquet on October 27, 2005 at the Sheraton Four-Seasons/Koury Center in Greensboro, as part of the 2005 Workforce Development Partnership Conference, October 26-28, 2005. Congratulations to the outstanding participants and staff members that make the workforce development services in the Centralina region the best in the state!

Employment Statistics
(Updated Monthly on this E-Newsletter)

May 2005
(Source: NC Employment Security Commission)
County
Unemployment Rate
Persons Employed
Anson
6.8%
10,382
Cabarrus
4.1%
75,229
Iredell
4.8%
66,847
Lincoln
5.5%
33,613
Rowan
5.1%
65,467
Stanly
5.3%
28,072
Union
4.1%
75,801

For more information on employment, click here


Introductions Please!
Centralina WDB Welcomes New Board Members

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is pleased to welcome two new Board members. Mr. Tom Neill is the Human Resources Manager with Southern Container Corporation in Mooresville. He represents private sector business and Iredell County. Tom has worked in manufacturing for over 20 years and in human resources for 11 years. He brings knowledge and expertise through his experience working with the Davidson County Workforce Development Board.

Ms. Connie Todd is a Recruitment Specialist with Union Regional Medical Center in Monroe. Along with her 13 years experience as a professional recruiter, Connie also is a former educator. The Centralina Workforce Development Board is excited to have new members that bring ideas and are willing to commit to helping develop a highly skilled productive workforce for the region. The Board appreciates the hard work and efforts that all Board members contribute.

Tom Neill can be contacted by e-mail at tom.neill@so-container.com. To contact Connie Todd, please e-mail her at connie.todd@carolinashealthcare.org. For more information about the Centralina Workforce Development Board, please visit www.centralinaworks.com.

Salisbury-Rowan Community Service Council Hosts First Countywide "Truck Day"

Banking on the visual attraction of real-life career options, the Salisbury-Rowan Community Service Council held its first countywide "Truck Day" on June 10, 2005. Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth program stars from Rowan and Cabarrus counties completed their Youth Summit week by attending Truck Day. The youth attentively visited each truck to ask company representatives about the requirements to work at their company, the types of jobs at the company, and the skills needed to pursue a career in those fields. The City of Salisbury Sanitation and Fire Departments, Time-Warner Cable, Charlotte Trucking School, Piedmont Natural Gas, Rowan Public Library and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts were only a few of the employers that participated. The afternoon included an appreciation luncheon for the youth and for the employers, including hotdogs and hamburgers, on the lawn of Salisbury-Rowan Community Service Council. The youth came away from the event with a true appreciation of the many career options they have for the future. And, employers found that the workforce of tomorrow is ready, willing, and able to go to work!

The Centralina Workforce Development Board proudly provides funding for WIA Youth programs in Rowan County and Cabarrus County. For more information about the WIA Youth Program in Rowan and Cabarrus counties, please contact Joann Diggs at 704.216.2189 or by e-mail at jpdiggs@bellsouth.net.

*******
Terrass Misher is Chapel Hill Bound

Mr. Terrass Misher recently graduated from South Iredell High School and is a North Carolina Scholar receiving a four-year scholarship to the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Terrass is a participant in the I-Care, Inc. Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program and has excelled as a member of the National Technical Honor Society. " I am so proud of Terrass and all his accomplishments," says Robert Barber, WIA Program case manager. Terrass will spend the summer working as a summer camp counselor at First Baptist Church in Garfield before heading off to Chapel Hill.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board proudly provides funding for WIA Youth programs in Iredell County. For more information about the WIA Youth Program in Iredell County, contact I-Care, Inc. at 704.872.8141.

*******
Lincolnton High School Students Receive National Technical Honor Society Award

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth participants from Lincoln County were honored at an awards luncheon held on May 31, 2005 at Ryan's Restaurant in Lincolnton. Among those recognized were Chris Reid and Nicole Presnell. Chris and Nicole both graduated from Lincolnton High School and received trophies from WIA Program case manager Ms. Ali Cecchini for their accomplishments. Both students were also awarded the National Technical Honor Society badge of honor. Chris is planning to attend college in Atlanta, Georgia to study to become a mortician. Nicole is a North Carolina Academic Scholar and will be attending Gardner-Webb College this fall. She will be studying to become a teacher. Several additional youth received awards for their work with WIA Leadership Training and Community Projects. All youth participants received a certificate of completion for the year.

The Centralina Workforce Development Board proudly provides funding for WIA Youth programs in Lincoln County. For more information about the WIA Youth Program in Lincoln County, contact Ali Cecchini at 704.735.8035 or by e-mail at a.cecchini@excite.com.

Scholarship winner Nicole Presnell (left) is congratulated by I-Care staff member Ali Cecchini on her success.




News You Can Use
Upcoming Events:

  • Centralina Workforce Development Board Meeting
    Tuesday August 9, 2005 - 4:30 PM
    Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce - Kannapolis

  • The Lincoln County JobLink Career Center is sponsoring a job fair, “Lincoln County Works”, on July 13 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Betty G. Ross Park Gym in Lincolnton. For more information, contact Judi Morton, JobLink manager, at (704) 735-8035, Ext. 219.

  • The Cabarrus County JobLink Career Center is sponsoring a Job Fair on Wednesday July 20 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at First Wesleyan Church, 301 Bethpage Road in Kannapolis. For more information, contact Carolyn Mays, JobLink manager, at (704) 786-3183.

  • Centralina WDB Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
    Tuesday July 26, 2005 - 2:30 PM
    Carolina Carpet Care & Restoration - Concord

  • Centralina WDB Community Relations Committee Meeting
    Thursday July 28, 2005 - 4:00 PM
    Win Cup, Inc. - Mooresville

  • Centralina WDB Committee Leadership Meeting
    Wednesday August 4, 2005 - 9:30 AM
    Carolina Carpet Care & Restoration - Concord

  • Centralina WDB Youth Council Meeting
    Thursday September 15, 2005 - 10:00 AM
    Location: TBA

  • Stanly County JobReady Partnership Board Meeting
    Monday August 23, 2005 - 11:30 AM
    Stanly Memorial Hospital - Albemarle

  • Rowan-Salisbury School-to-Career Council Meeting
    Friday August 26, 2005 - 12:00 Noon
    Rowan Cabarrus Community College - Salisbury

  • NC Workforce Development Training Center: Training Announcement
    Career Compass Train -the -Trainer
    July 20, 2005 in New Bern, NC 12:00 - 4:00 PM
    July 26, 2005 in Hickory, NC 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    July 27, 2005 in Raleigh, NC 12:00 - 4:00 PM
    No Registration Fee
    For more information visit www.ncwdtc.com

  • NC Workforce Development Training Center: Training Announcement
    Writing Effective Case Notes - half-day sessions
    August 15-17, 2005 (2 sessions each day)
    NC Workforce Development Training Center - Raleigh, NC
    No Registration Fee
    For more information visit www.ncwdtc.com

  • Youth Council Forum: Leading In A Time of Change
    July 27 & 28, 2005
    9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Holiday Inn Center City - Charlotte
    Registration Fee: $50.00
    For more information visit www.ncwdtc.com

  • Paul Wilson will retire as Executive Director of I-Care, Inc. in Statesville in July 2005 after 36 years as the agency's leader. Paul has been a true friend of workforce development for the region. He has also served on the Centralina Workforce Development Board. The Board and its staff wishes Paul a wonderful retirement and truly appreciates his leadership and tireless service to the community.

 

 

NEED A SPEAKER?

Invite a representative from the Centralina Workforce Development Board. To arrange for a speaker please visit
www.centralinaworks.com/speaker.cfm or call Stephanie Boger at 704.348.2725.

 

Visit our website at www.centralinaworks.com to learn more about the Centralina WDB
To send a comment about our E-Newsletter, click here.

To learn more about the Centralina Council of Governments please visit www.centralina.org
CentralinaWORKS is a publication of the Centralina Workforce Development Board. If you do not wish to receive this E-Newsletter in the future, please send a return e-mail and type "REMOVE" in the Subject Line and you will be removed from our distribution list. The CWDB does not share its distribution list with other organizations. Please feel free to share this E-Newsletter with co-workers and other business associates.